EDITOR'S NOTE: A version of this article originally appeared on SooToday on Dec. 19. It is being republished here for readers who may have missed it.
A Thessalon couple is feeling grateful for the community’s support after a devastating fire destroyed their four-storey family home last Thursday.
Scott and Tracy Valiquette were inside their Huron Street West dwelling when flames broke out in the attached garage that afternoon.
“I was just finished cutting my customer’s hair while Scott was watching television, and we heard a boom,” Valiquette said. “I looked out the patio door and saw flames. I guess Scott heard too and went running out.”
With no time to collect any possessions, the couple grabbed their dog and escaped the property before calling 911. Crews from the Huron Shores and Thessalon fire departments arrived when the house and garage quickly became consumed by flames.
“It happened very fast,” she said. “I was watching from my son’s house, and I was thinking: ‘Please, do not light my neighbour’s house on fire.’ They kept watering the two houses next door so they didn’t burn.”
“Our house was burned to the ground within an hour,” the husband added. “It smouldered for a while after.”
Stunning photographs by The North Shore Sentinel showed firefighters battling the harrowing blaze for hours before getting the situation under control. It is currently undetermined what caused the fire.
The Valiquettes told SooToday they lost everything, including their two-year-old cat. Their neighbour’s garage had also burned down, and both of their neighbour’s siding melted on the ends closest to the fire.
The wood-framed dwelling was believed to be more than 100 years old.
Before the couple moved into the home two years ago, Scott’s parents John and Gail Valiquette occupied the property for 50 years. The family has had some unfortunate luck when it comes to fires, Tracy said.
“Scott’s family originally moved to that house because they actually had a family fire in Thessalon when he was nine; he’s 64 now,” she said. “Their house burned down, and that’s when they got this house.”
After the couple stayed with Tracy’s son for the first three nights, one of the neighbours offered up their home while they get back on their feet – one of many generous offers they’ve received over the last several days.
“They said we can have it for as long as we need,” she said. “It’s their cottage but it’s a house. They’re new friends; they just moved here last summer. We’re going to buy a freezer today so we can get some groceries, but the house has everything we need.”
The Valiquettes travelled to the Sault this morning to go out shopping and replace the Christmas presents they lost to the fire. They’re looking forward to having family over at their temporary home during the holidays.
While they continue to accept monetary donations, the couple says they're mostly stocked up on all the physical items they need for now.
“People have been bringing us over clothes and personal items, but we don’t really need anything else,” she said. “Maybe later on, but we got everything we need right now.”
“We’re doing great, honestly,” she added. “We’ve had a lot of support. We don’t miss anything we lost and we’re not looking back.”
The couple wants to warn the public that Gail Valiquette’s Facebook account appears to have been hacked, and they’re asking residents to ignore any messages that are requesting money for them.
Monetary donations for the family can be dropped off at a trio of businesses in Thessalon, including Main Street Pharmacy, Stedmans V&S Department Store, and Rankin Supply.
“We really want to thank everybody,” she said. “I can’t believe how much love and donations we’ve received. We also want to thank the firemen as well. I’ve always loved our town.”